The science behind using the arts to combat loneliness and social isolation
A new program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is using the arts to tackle loneliness and social isolation. Paul Solman reports on prescriptions for art instead of medicine for our series at the intersection of art and health, part of our CANVAS coverage.
A new program in Charlotte, North Carolina, is using the arts as medicine to combat loneliness and social isolation. Alisha Bigby, a participant in the program, had been isolated after experiencing a series of family tragedies. After being prescribed art by her therapist, Bigby began attending performances, creating art, and visiting The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art.
The Bechtler's Art on Prescription program provides a year's worth of arts programming for free to individuals under a doctor's care. The program's goal is to foster social connections and improve mental health. Todd Smith, the museum's executive director, noted that the program aims to combat loneliness in Charlotte, a city with high mobility due to its rapid growth.
Social prescribing, an approach that has been used in the UK, involves prescribing activities like movement, nature, art, service, and belonging as a way to treat various afflictions, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, addiction, and dementia. Studies have shown that social prescribing can improve patients' health, mood, and reduce loneliness, while also decreasing pressure on healthcare systems.
In the U.S., social prescribing is gaining traction as a way to address the loneliness epidemic that has emerged due to increased reliance on screens and changes in social interactions since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written by urgent.news from PBS NewsHour Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
